RECAP / PHOTOS: The Revivalists and Stokeswood @ One Eyed Jacks – 6/29/12

The unforgiving heat of last week was just a hair away from intolerable, and as work finally came dwindling down on Friday afternoon, a wide and right heady group of New Orleanians was ready to get down to partying the week’s worth of heat out of their minds with a little help from Stokeswood and The Revivalists at One Eyed Jacks. Then again, with a massive crowd having grown within the depths of the righteous Toulouse tavern, things inside were as heated as ever, but the tasty booze did a mighty fine job of cooling us off and causing us to let loose.

Stokeswood kicked things off Friday night with a relentless energy, the kind of vibrations that reveal a true knack for the construction of savory sounds, of which there was no shortage. This Atlanta-based five-piece was a propulsive act of contagious charisma, consisting of pulsing synths, both electric and acoustic six-strings, throttling bass and drums, and one hella-cool star skirt. The band definitely had an organic feel for one another, as evidenced by their flawless transitions and the giant heap-o-joy presence that they continuously displayed. Overall, Stokeswood did a real pro-job of getting the audience excited for the prolonged night of musical extravagance.

With a thick bit of Voodoo Experience rallying support, The Revivalists came to town prepared last Friday to melt faces and drop panties (did I mention the absolutely incredible attendance of beautiful ladies at this show? ‘Twas E-P-O-C). Although I can’t really speak for everyone as to the latter, I can tell you that the band certainly brought their incendiary-love to the show, and along with the salty drippage of sweat, everyone in the bobbing, waving mass in front of the stage proceeded to welcome the slippery shower of rock-and-roll. With a melodic thrust of tracks, including a lovely handful from their latest album City of Sound, The Revivalists proved that they are worthy of being deemed the newest breakout band from New Orleans. Frontman David Shaw (discovered while singing on his front porch by founding members Andrew Campanelli and Zack Feinberg) sent chills into our bones and breath into our lungs with his steady, beautifully purring howl of a voice, while the surrounding band members – including everything from saxophone to steel guitar – ransacked our bodies with jamming jubilee. Needless to say, the air inside One Eyed Jacks got a little thicker and a little steamier as the show went on. As a matter of fact, the paramount jubilation got so raunchy that Shaw had to ditch his shirt and rock out in his suspenders (like a badass. Kids, don’t try this at home). At this point, the air was saturated by not only a conglomeration of sweat from the die-hard fandom, but also by the invisible fumes of beer and bourbon and all of the rest. Basically, the night wound up exactly as I had anticipated, with a set of sore, danced-out legs and a warm, comfy buzz, brought upon us patrons by an ideal procession of New Orleans life, love and music.

About the author

Can be your friend if you like words. Can probably be your friend even if you do not like words. Lives in New Orleans, looks for shade. Thanks Miner Johnson (@brahbrahbrah) for this prestigious career. You should thank him, too.

 

Tags: Andrew Campanelli, David Shaw, favorites, One Eyed Jack's, Stokeswood, The Revivalists, Voodoo Experience, Zack Feinberg